Zevia

Flavor:

Caffeine Free Cola

Ingredients:

Carbonated Water, Stevia Leaf Extract, Natural Flavors, Citric Acid, Tartaric Acid

Rating: Average

Ingredient Score:

Rated at 3 out of 5 green leaves, Zevia Caffeine Free Cola positions itself as a middle-of-the-road choice for consumers seeking cleaner soda alternatives. This product does not contain caffeine, which may appeal to those looking to avoid the stimulant. However, it is not an organic beverage, which detracts from its clean food credentials.

Zevia Caffeine Free Cola’s ingredient list is short, featuring carbonated water as the base. The sweetness is derived from stevia leaf extract, a natural sweetener that provides a sugar-free alternative to traditional sodas. While stevia is a plant-based ingredient, it is counted as an added sugar in this scoring system, leading to a deduction in the product’s overall score. The inclusion of citric and tartaric acids contributes to the product’s tartness and stability, but citric acid is also considered an added sugar in this context.

One of the more contentious ingredients in this beverage is ‘natural flavors’. This term often masks a variety of substances and is a point of concern for many seeking transparency in their food products. As such, the presence of natural flavors has resulted in a significant score reduction for Zevia Caffeine Free Cola.

The product’s non-GMO status is a positive aspect, ensuring that the ingredients have not been genetically modified, which aligns with the preferences of many health-conscious consumers.

Zevia Caffeine Free Cola finds itself in a challenging position, attempting to offer a cleaner alternative in a market saturated with unhealthy options. It manages to eliminate caffeine and artificial sweeteners, which are common in traditional colas, but its lack of organic certification and the presence of natural flavors prevent it from achieving a higher green leaf rating. This drink provides a compromise for those navigating between the desire for a healthier soda and the limitations of available options.